Leontyne Price

Mary Violet Leontyne Price was born in Laurel, Mississippi, to James, a carpenter, and Kate, a midwife, and spent her youth in small towns across the American South. After graduating from college, she completed three years of study at the Juilliard School. Her professional career began with a recital in New York in 1952, followed by her Broadway debut in 1953 as Bess in "Porgy and Bess," a role that led to a subsequent worldwide tour. Price made her Metropolitan Opera debut on January 27, 1961, as Leonora in "Il Trovatore," becoming the seventh Black singer to debut at the Met but the first Black American to achieve worldwide superstar status in opera; her performance of "Trovatore" notably received a 45-minute ovation. Her distinguished career was marked by numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, making her the youngest singer to receive the honor, and the Spingarn Medal in 1965. Between 1965 and 1979, Price recorded 48 arias by a wide range of major opera composers. She also ventured into television, beginning with a series in 1955 for "Tosca," and released five "Prima Donna" albums showcasing her versatility across 43 roles, even those she never performed in full. After nearly a quarter-century at the Metropolitan Opera, Price gave her farewell performance in the title role of Verdi's "Aida" in January 1985, subsequently dedicating more time to personal pursuits. She was divorced and did not have children.